Health class with Dr Grace (Ngorongoro Tanzania) -
Today is world HIV /AID day so our subject today is HIV-mode of transmission
_Prevention
_How to remain negative after tested negative
_Proper uses of ARVs after tested positive
_How to live after tested positive without spread to others.
Mattresses and blankets for Nainokanoka primary school dorms (especially for girls).
They were sorely needed. Thanks to all who donated.
Health education empowers women and girls
In addition, we provide health education which teaches men, women and adolescents:
-the importance of birth spacing
-that child bearing should end when a woman’s health is threatened
-the dangers of FGC (Female Genital Cutting)
-that complications of from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death to girls ages 15-19.
Adolescents learn about reproduction, reproductive rights, avoiding pregnancy, and mutual respect between male and female.
The government built a preschool classroom in the village in late 2017; a partner organization* provided the desks and we supplied the girl role models.
The 45 preschool students who started in the old preschool in 2015 went to 54 in late 2016 and in late 2017 mushroomed to 85, and then to 92 after preschool uniforms were provided.
Primary students in their new uniforms
Now another classroom is needed, and another teacher. A second volunteer teacher came forth and turned out to be a married woman: another role model for the girls.
The cost of girls education is lower than we ever imagined:
All the things we do adds up to only $30 per girl per year (over what government provides), averaged over a period of 20 years. For high school students it is only $600 a year.
Drought is a problem . . . .
In 1997, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2016, and 2017, drought led to low food supply in the project area. We had to buy maize for 305 women in 2017, taking away from our budget to educate girls.
Climate change can increase child marriages . .
30% to 40% of child marriages in Malawi are due to poverty caused by flooding and droughts due to climate change.
A combination of poverty and patriarchal tradition subjects girls to increasing climate change risks. 1.3 billion people in low- and middle-income countries live below the poverty line, and 70% are female.
Girls educated in boarding school leads to fewer child marriages . . .
When girls attend boarding schools, they are fed at government expense, lightening the burden of poverty that causes parents to marry off their daughter.
Education helps girls handle climate change impacts .
Girls and women play an active and significant role in maintaining the survival of their families and communities in times of crisis and uncertainty.
With education, girls can add their voice, experience and solutions to assist their communities in times of drought or flooding. Educated girls are more likely to enact their future choices, find paid work and support their children’s education.
Girls education significantly lowers population growth With no reduction in child marriage, high fertility rates alone will raise the global number of women married as children to 1.2 billion by 2050.
* Our partner organization is Weston Turville Wells for Tanzania.